Refrigeration apparatus



1935 A.' K. PHILLlPPl 2,006,478

' REFRIGERATION APPARATUS Fil ed June 22, 1935 WITNESSES: 11v VENTOR X7 BY fiR-rHuR K-PHI'LLI'PPI.

ATTORNEY Patented July 2, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE REFRIGERATION APPARATUS of Pennsylvania Application June 22, 1933, Serial No. 677,112

3 Claims.

My invention relates to a refrigeration apparatus and method, and particularly to an apparatus and method for charging a refrigerating system with working fluid.

My invention relates more specifically to a method and apparatus for charging a refrigerating system of the high-side float, flooded type, wherein, the amount of working fluid must be carefully calibrated to insure full capacity of the apparatus. In a high-side, float, flooded system, the amount of working fiuid in the evaporator depends entirely on the charge of working fluid. If the system contains too much working fluid, liquid is picked up by the suction tube, and the refrigerating effect of the liquid cools the suction tube and the compressor rather than the food chamber thus resulting in ineflicient operation of the apparatus. If the system contains too little working fluid, the level of working fluid in the evaporator is low, and the effect is the same as if a small evaporator were used since the vaporization of the liquid working fluid in the evaporator does most of the cooling.

It is, therefore, an object of my invention to provide a simple and inexpensive method and apparatus for obtaining the correct amount of working fluid in a, refrigerating system of the flooded type.

It is another object of my invention to provide a charging device for a refrigerating system wherein the working fluid charge need not be closely measured and the correct amount of working fluid may be easily ascertained.

These and other objects of my invention will become apparent from the following description and drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front view partly in section of a refrigerating apparatus of the flooded type, embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a working fluid reservoir utilized in practicing my invention;

Figs. 3 and 4 are views of the two ends of the reservoir shown in Fig. 2. 1

Referring specifically to the drawing, numeral I designates generally a complete compressor and condenser unit comprising a. motor-compressor unit 2, which compresses refrigerating working fluid and forces it through a conduit 3 to a condenser 4, where the compressed gaseous working 50 fluid is condensed by cooling. Working fluid is then conveyed through a curved conduit 5, preferably or copper, to a. receptacle 6, from whence working fluid is conveyed through another conduit I, also preferably of copper, to a float valve The float valve 8 distributes working fluid through a conduit 9 to a flooded evaporator II. The suction pressure of the compressor prevails in the evaporator l i, and the heat in the surrounding media vaporizes the working fluid in the evaporator. The working fluid vapor is withdrawn from the evaporator II through a suction tube H2.

The suction tube I2 is fixed, and, therefore, the level of 'working fluid in the evaporator should be such that the greatest amount of working fluid possible is present therein, but the suction tube I2 should pick up media which is almost entirely in the vapor state. It is obvious therefore that, in the condensing units of the type shown generally in Fig. 1, as built heretofore, the charge of working fluid must be very carefully measured or calibrated.

. In order to dispense with the apparatus and expense contingent with careful calibration, my invention contemplates disposing a working fluid storage reservoir 6 in the working fluid line between the condenser 4 and the float valve 8. The reservoir has an inlet I3 substantially at a horizontal center of the receptacle t, and an outlet I4 substantially at the edge of a vertical cross section of, the receptacle 6, and opposite to the inlet l3. The shape of the receptacle 6 is immaterial. The copper tubing connecting the receptacle 6 with the condenser 4 and with the float valve 8 is .sufliciently ductile to allow at least 180 movement of the receptacle about its horizontal or vertical axis to vary the volume of the reservoir horizontally below the outlet i4.

Where the receptacle 6 is in the position shown by the full lines in Fig. 2, the level of liquid in the receptacle is designated at I5. If the receptacle 6 is positioned so that the outlet I4 is disposed as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, the liquid in the receptacle will be at the level designated by the dash line I6.

The level of working fluid in the receptacle 6 controls the amount of working fluid in the evaporator I I, that is, the amount available to be cycled. If the system contains too great a charge, the excess may be taken care of by turning the reservoir 6 so as to raise the outlet I4 and thereby increase the volume of the reservoir horizontally below the outlet. A deficiency may be taken care of by a contrary adjustment.

The position of the receptacle G may be determined to obtain the correct charge of working fluid in the system, by observing the frost which forms on the suction line i2 as the relative horizontal positions of the inlet I3 and outlet M of the receptacle 6 are changed. When frost forms on the suction tube, due to moisture condensing and freezing thereon from the atmosphere, it indicates that refrigeration is taking place in the suction tube due to the tube drawing up liquid working fluid from the evaporator instead of vapor. If the receptacle 6 is positioned so that the frost does not form on the suction line, but so that a slight change in position which will provide the system with a little more working fluid will cause frosting, the correct change of working fluid will be attained.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that I have provided an inexpensive apparatus and method for obtaining the correct charge of working fluid in a refrigerating system.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications, without departing from the spirit thereof, and I dwire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are imposed by the prior art or as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:--

1. In a refrigerating system wherein a refrigerant is successively compressed, condensed and evaporated, the combination of a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, conduit connections between the compressor, condenser and evaporator, a distributing valve in the conduit connection between the condenser and the evaporator, a refrigerant receptacle for containing condensed liquid refrigerant under pressure in the conduit connection between the condenser and the valve and adjustable means associated with the receptacle for varying the effective amount of refrigerant contained therein and, therefore, the amount of refrigerant in the system, said means comprising an inlet to the receptacle disposed substantially at the horizontal axis of the receptacle, an outlet from the receptacle disposed substantially at the edge of a verticalcross section of the receptacle, and conduit connections to the inlet and outlet of such a nature that the receptacle maybe rotated to vary the relative positions of the inlet and outlet in a horizontal plane, whereby the level of refrigerant in the receptacle corresponds to the horizontal position of the outlet.

2. In a refrigerating system, the combination of a refrigerant circulating system and a container, having a substantially horizontal axis, for a quantity of refrigerant connected in the system, an inlet and an outlet connected to the container, one above the other, and substantially flexible conduit means associated with said inlet and outlet for permitting rotation of said container about its axis to vary the effective amount oi refrigerant in the system.

3. In a refrigerating system, the combination of a refrigerant circulating system. and a container, having a substantially horizontal axis, for a quantity of refrigerant connected in the system,

an inlet and an outlet formed in said container, one above the other, said container being rotatably mounted for permitting rotation of said container about a horizontal axis to change the relative positions of its inlet and outlet and thereby change the effective amount of refrigerant in the system.

ARTHUR K. PHILLEPI. 

